Sunday, November 30, 2008

I have received quite a few questions regarding the best way to finish the Christine bag (ravelry link). So I thought the easiest way to explain would be to do a series of tutorials. This is the first and it will cover seaming and attaching the handles.

3.) Before you begin seaming it is important to understand the difference between the outside stitches and the inside stitches. (See the image below).

4.) To begin seaming you will insert your needle & yarn into the first outside stitch on the left side of your bag. Be sure to leave a tail about 6 inches long to be secured later.

5.) Next you will insert your needle in the first outside stitch on the right side of your bag.

6.) Back to the left side, insert your needle in the next inside stitch. (Refer to image in step 3 if needed to determine proper placement).

7.) Insert your needle on the next inside stitch on the right side of the bag. (See image above)

8.) You will repeat steps 4 - 7 working your way down the bag until all your stitches have been seamed up. Your bag should look like the image below.

9.) Now that you are done seaming up the side it is time to hide your ends. Insert your needle between the last two stitches you seamed up and pull your yarn through to the inside of your bag.

10.) Secure your ends by working back and forth through the side seam. You may even tie a knot if you want. You won't see it once the bag has been lined. Do the same to secure the tail that you left in step 4. Trim ends if needed.

Please note: You will skip the first 5 stitches (P3, K2) and the last 5 stitches (K2, P3). If you attach the handle to these stitches you will not be able to open your bag enough to get your items in and out. Below is an image of the bag with the handles already attached so you can see what I mean.

1.) Inset your needle in top of the appropriate stitch. Be sure to leave a length of yarn about 6 inches long to secure while you attach your handles. If you used Brown Sheep Burly Spun be careful not to pull too hard. Burly Spun is not plyed and will pull apart if you use too much tension.

2.) Wrap yarn around handle and insert from back to front in next stitch. Be sure to wrap yarn around the yarn tail that you left. This will eliminate the need to secure the end later. Below is an image of the back view of the handle.

3.) Continue attaching the handle until all but the last 5 stitches have been attached.

6.) Once you have completed attaching the handle you will need to secure your ends. Turn your bag so the wrong side of the handle is facing you. Insert needle into top of stitch closest to the handle. Be sure to pull your yarn tight.

7.) You are now going to feed your needle back through the wrapped stitches on your handle.

8.) Repeat until you have worked your way through all the wrapped stitches.

9.) Secure your yarn as you did in step 6 and hide your ends.

10.) Repeat steps 1 - 9 to attach 2nd handle.

I will be posting a tutorial for lining your bag in the next couple of days. Stay tuned.

Thursday, November 27, 2008

Saturday, November 15, 2008

Chicken soup and Thera-Flu is about all I've been doing for the past couple of days. I came down with a chest cold and I feel like *&%$#. Not much knitting, but I have been searching for the perfect sock pattern to knit up my new Red Rocks sock yarn.

I bought this over on Mary-Kay's blog. I think she still has some left if you're interested. I couldn't resist this color, it's called 'It's a Go'. I can't wait to see how this knits up. I haven't made myself socks in a long time. Maybe that's because I usually get second sock syndrome. I prefer double points to knitting two socks at a time but I may need to reconsider that. I have too many single socks knit waiting for their partners.

I'm about half done with my February Lady Sweater. I bought another skein of the Dream in Color. I can't believe that they don't have a dye lot. Check out the difference in these two skeins. They are both November Muse.

Even if I alternate skeins I'm afraid you're really going to be able to see the color difference. The one on the right looks red and the one on the left is reddish brown with some black. Not sure what I'm going to do. I ordered this on-line and I can't remember where I got it. I could rip out what I have and buy two more skeins at my LYS. I guess I'll be putting this to the side while I decide what to do.

I also got some Malabrigo Silky Merino from my LYS, River Color Studio. They have a great selection of yarn. I managed to stay away from the Koigu. They have practically every color you could want. Well, off to watch How the Grinch Stole Christmas. Isn't it a bit early for Christmas cartoons? It is snowing outside.

Sunday, November 2, 2008

It's finally here, my newest design Eleonora. This classy but simple shrug is perfect with jeans or over your favorite little black dress. You can knit this up in either DK or fingering weight yarn. Cuff and body ribbing are done in a simple lace repeat. Shrug is knit sideways starting at one cuff and finishing at the other.

The Buckingham yarn is really soft and luxurious. It has great drape and is very affordable.

$6.50

Click the buy now button to purchase and download a pdf version of the pattern. Please note if you are using your checking account to make your purchase you will receive the pattern once the payment has been processed. If you don't have a paypal account that's okay you can make a purchase without an account by using a major credit card. If you are a Ravelry user you can also purchase it through my pattern store.

Every attempt has been made to produce a high quality pattern, free of errors. Pattern includes both charts and written instructions. Enjoy!!!